Gamers need to get along with each other and everyone else. I know I seem idealistic—heck, the phrase “video game idealist” led one person to my blog—but it’s necessary.

We can start by being polite to non gamers who show an interest in playing video games. Now, I don’t want to trample on people’s freedom of speech; it can be fun to joke around when you’re playing. However, we need to treat new gamers with basic decency so they can play in a positive environment.

This positive environment will do wonders for both new and non gamers. It might encourage them to feel like they belong among a gaming community. The cynical non gamers might start treating this past time with respect.

And we should encourage non gamers and new gamers to play video games. If we don’t share this pastime with them, video games might die out or only use the same ideas from the past. Worse, only a privileged few might indulge in video games. That’s tragic. It would be like not sharing your gifts with as many people as possible.

How does this generation of gamers want others to remember them? We need to be more inclusive and tolerant towards everyone interested in this hobby. That includes women who, according to the Entertainment Software Association, make up to 47% of gamers. A new generation of gamers, of all genders, races and so on will see games differently than those who played in the past. We have to respect their new opinions and play style.

You hear people talk about serious issues like the national debt and climate change and the next generation’s burdens. Those are important topics that we need resolve. But I wonder if all gamers can spare a minute to consider their own behaviour and their legacy.

7 responses to “Hey, You! Play Nice”

Great post. I remember when I played with friends and we’d tease each other, but it was in good fun. Part of me wonders if that is what people are unknowingly attempting on multiplayer platforms and it’s simply not translating. I had that one friend that always pushed the taunting too far and his mentality seems to be the one I hear about the most. Probably not the majority, but that irritating vocal minority that people mistake for the majority. After all, video games are all about having fun and you don’t usually make a public scene when you’re doing that.

My friends and I always tease each other when we play video games, and sometimes we start yelling at each other, but it’s all in good fun. But, seriously, you should hear a friend of mine, my sister, and me playing Super Mario 3D Land. We all get super loud, and usually start yelling at the top of our lungs. We have to get the crown at the end of the level. We just have to.

Sounds like you’re having a good time, and that’s the way it should be. 🙂 I just hope we can all take it on easy on new gamers trying things out for the first time. If they’re anything like me, they’ll be sensitive.